The Chicago Experiment was formed in 2025 out of Connor Bernhard's desire to perform more on guitar and realize the dream he had since he was in high school of having an organ powered band.

The trio features himself on guitar, trumpet, arrangements, and compositions along with the inimitable Zack Marks on drums and Andrew "Larry" Lawrence on Hammond B3 organ.​

The three met nearly a decade prior to play in the band New Nostalgia and have been friends and accomplices in musical crime ever since with that group, Bonzo Squad and many others. These three musicians share a passion for the harmony and intellectual prowess of jazz, but are also captivated by the infectious groove and melodies of vernacular musics in the popular music genre. Together they synthesize those two commonly separated worlds into the funky fire that is The Chicago Experiment.

Every Tuesday and Wednesday, we present Chicago’s top jazz artists in a lively atmosphere, full of cocktail-shaking and spirited conversation.